Cornerboard assembly

ABSTRACT

A cornerboard assembly comprises an interlocking, opposite direction joint between cornerboard millwork components. Dual male members extend from the end of one of the respective components, forming an opening between the members. The male members and opening formed between the members have planar outer surfaces. The second component comprises an end with a single male member which is configured to be inserted into the opening of the first component. The male member of the second component and the other surfaces at this end also have planar outer surfaces. The planar outer surfaces of the two cornerboards components are configured to be positioned adjacent to each other, in surface to surface contact. An exterior construction glue or similar adhesive is placed on the planar surfaces to fixedly and permanently secure the components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Cornerboards have long been used to support and dress-up thesides and corners of exterior walls of houses, buildings, and similarstructures. Such millwork products generally consist of component pieceswhich are placed over the edges and corners of exterior walls, routinelywith two component pieces which form a right angle corner or by use of aone piece, right angled, extruded component overlaying the wall at itscorner.

[0002] More specifically, cornerboards of wood construction usuallyemploy two separate cornerboard component pieces which are positionedalong the edge of and against the exterior corner of a wall. Thecomponent pieces each have flat end surfaces which are placed inadjacent contact. The component pieces are then secured to the wall inthis position, usually by nailing. Such two piece component constructionhowever, has several significant disadvantages. Since pieces are oftentimes not milled precisely, when they are positioned end-to-end, thereinevitably will be some space between the pieces, even after they aresecured to the wall. This is unsightly and, over time, the spacing mayincrease, inviting damage to the pieces. Weather may further affect thecorner connection, resulting in further separation and unevenness of thecomponent pieces or cracking of the pieces at this location. Two piececornerboard installation is also a cumbersome task. The pieces must besquarely positioned against the wall surface and maintained in thatposition, in order that they may be properly aligned and secured inposition.

[0003] While synthetic materials, such as vinyl and certain constructionplastics, can be extruded to form one piece cornerboard elements, as apractical matter, the use of one piece sections is restricted to thistype of material. Wood, which is a most favored material for cornerboardconstruction, can not practically and economically be manufactured as asingle cornerboard piece, so is rarely used in this form. However, woodmillwork is generally more economical to manufacture and provides thegreatest variety of design at reasonable cost. A means to effectivelyand economically provide an integral wood cornerboard assembly has,heretofore, not been developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide acornerboard assembly which overcomes the disadvantages and limitationsof prior cornerboard construction.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a cornerboardassembly which provides for a joint connection capable of securelyattaching cornerboard millwork components to form an integral, solid andstable, single piece cornerboard.

[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide acornerboard assembly which uses wood as its fabricated material, butstill ensures a secure and solid connection of cornerboard millworkcomponents to form a single piece cornerboard.

[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide acornerboard assembly which employs a unique interlocking joint to securecornerboard millwork components.

[0008] It is still another object of the present invention to provide acornerboard assembly which provides an interlocking joint connectionwhich securely maintains an integrally assembled cornerboard for ease ofproper alignment and installation on wall surfaces.

[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide acornerboard assembly which provides an integral, piece cornerboard whichis economical to manufacture and easy to assemble.

[0010] It is still a further object of the present invention to providea cornerboard assembly which is durable after installation, andmaintains its aesthetic appearance over time, despite the weatherelements.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide acornerboard assembly which can readily and economically be customized,according to size, shape, and design, for ease of manufacture, delivery,and on-site installation.

[0012] The objects of the invention are accomplished by a cornerboardassembly comprising an interlocking, opposite direction joint betweencornerboard millwork components. Dual male members extend from the endof one of the respective components, forming an opening between themembers. The male members and opening formed between the members haveplanar outer surfaces. The second component comprises an end with asingle male member which is configured to be inserted into the openingof the first component. The male member of the second component and theother surfaces at this end also have planar outer surfaces. The planarouter surfaces of the two cornerboards components are configured to bepositioned adjacent to each other, in surface to surface contact. Anexterior construction glue or similar adhesive is placed on the planarsurfaces to fixedly and permanently secure the components.

[0013] The result is an integral, single piece, cornerboard assemblywhich can be economically and easily produced and which may befabricated of wood components. The bond formed by the interlockingsurfaces at the ends of the millwork components creates a solid andsecure single cornerboard element which is easy to install, moreaesthetically pleasing, and will better withstand weather conditions andresult in a longer life.

[0014] The novel features which are considered as characteristic of theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. However,both as to their design, construction, and use, together with additionalfeatures and advantages thereof, they are best understood upon review ofthe following detailed description with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a view of the cornerboard assembly of the presentinvention as it is to be installed on exterior walls.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cornerboard assembly of thepresent invention.

[0017]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the components of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Cornerboard 1 of the present invention is designed to be securedto the outer surface of exterior walls 6 of, for example, a building orhouse 3, such as seen in FIG. 1.

[0019] Cornerboard 1, itself, comprises separate millwork componentpieces 2 and 4. Each piece 2 and 4 has, at their respective ends,outwardly extending male members which are configured to interlock toform a joint. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, at end 8, piece 2 comprisesoutwardly extending male members 10 and 12, forming opening 14therebetween. Planar outer surfaces 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 arelocated on members 10 and 12 at end 8.

[0020] Also as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, piece 4, at end 9, comprisesoutwardly extending male member 11. Member 11 is configured to beinserted into and located within opening 14 of piece 2. Planar outersurfaces 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29, located on member 11 at end 9 ofpiece 4, are configured to positioned on planar outer surfaces 16, 18,20, 22, 24, 26 and 28, respectively, in surface to surface contact.

[0021] Placement of member 11 of piece 4 within opening 14 of piece 2,positions member 11 and members 10 and 12 in opposite directions, andthe resulting surface to surface contact of the planar outer surfaces ofthe pieces forms an interlocking joint between the pieces.

[0022] An adhesive 30, such as epoxy, is normally applied to the planarouter surfaces, to provide a secure bond between pieces 2 and 4. Theinterlocking configuration of cornerboard 1, secured by adhesive,provides a strong and inseparable cornerboard joint.

[0023] The scope of invention is not restricted by the embodimentdisclosed herein. While the cornerboard discussed teaches the use ofdual extending male members 10 and 12 mating with a single oppositelyextending male member 11, it is contemplated that different interlockingconfigurations may be used, e.g. three male members, joined with twoopposing members, four members with three members, etc. Although planarsurfaces are most advantageously employed and economically manufactured,the adjacent, mating components could comprise curved surfaces.

[0024] Certain novel features and components of this invention aredisclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least oneform thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the inventionas disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details asdisclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changesmay be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A cornerboard comprising: dual interlocking cornerboardcomponents, the first component comprising an end section with outwardlyextending male members, each with planar outer surfaces, the malemembers forming an opening within the end section, and the secondcomponent comprising an end section with an outwardly extending malemember with planar outer surfaces located within the opening, the planarouter surfaces of the components being positioned in surface to surfacecontact to fittingly interlock the dual components.
 2. The cornerboardas in claim 1 further comprising adhesive means to attach the planarouter surfaces of the first and second components.
 3. A cornerboardcomprising: dual interlocking cornerboard components, the firstcomponent comprising an end section with outwardly extending malemembers, each with planar outer surfaces, and the second componentcomprising an end section with an outwardly extending male member withplanar outer surfaces, the planar outer surfaces of the first and secondcomponents being positioned in surface to surface contact to fittinglyinterlock the dual components.
 4. The cornerboard as in claim 3 furthercomprising adhesive means to attach the planar outer surfaces of thefirst and second components.
 5. A cornerboard comprising: dualinterlocking cornerboard components, the first component comprising anend section with outwardly extending male members, each with outersurfaces, and the second component comprising an end section with anoutwardly extending male member with outer surfaces, the outer surfacesof the components being positioned in surface to surface to contact tofittingly interlock the dual components.
 6. The cornerboard as in claim5 further comprising adhesive means to attach the dual components. 7.The cornerboard as in claim 5 further comprising an opening within theend section of the first component, the male member of the secondcomponent being located within the opening.
 8. The cornerboardcomprising: dual interlocking cornerboard components, the firstcomponent comprising an end section with multiple planar outer surfaceslocated on the end section and planar outer surfaces extending therefromand the second component comprising an end section with multiple planarouter surfaces located on the end section and planar surfaces extendingtherefrom, the planar outer surfaces of the first and second componentsbeing positioned in surface to surface contact to fittingly interlockthe dual components.
 9. The cornerboard as in claim 8 further comprisingadhesive means to attach the dual components.
 10. The cornerboard as inclaim 8 in which the end section of the first component furthercomprises an opening with planar outer surfaces, the planar outersurfaces of the second component being located within the opening andbeing positioned in planar surface to surface contact.
 11. Thecornerboard comprising: first and second interlocking cornerboardcomponents, the first component comprising an end section with outwardlyextending joint means for connecting the first and second components,each said joint means comprising planar outer surfaces, and the secondcomponent comprising an end section with joint means with planar outersurfaces, said joint means extending in the opposite direction as thejoint means of the first component, whereby the planar outer surfaces ofthe joint means of each component are positioned in surface to surfacecontact to fittingly interlock the dual components.
 12. The cornerboardas in claim 11 further comprising adhesive means to attach the dualcomponents.
 13. The cornerboard as in claim 11 further comprising anopening within the end section of the first component, the joint meansof the second component being located within the opening.